Quote from: Ian AbsentiaTrain wreck?  I'm honestly surprised at how civil the discussion and argument has been, given that it started out off the rails.

That's because the OP hasn't chimed in for a few posts.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaTrain wreck?  I'm honestly surprised at how civil the discussion and argument has been, given that it started out off the rails.

!i!

It's the topic I'm uncomfortable with, and the using of it as a vehicle for arguing gun control (which was of course the OP's entire purpose).

Quote from: Christmas ApeI'd be curious about the population density in a portion of say, New York state, that's about the same size as Singapore and how that works out.

Google says population density of NY State is 155.18 per sq km. Sorry, can't help myself.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaTrain wreck?  I'm honestly surprised at how civil the discussion and argument has been, given that it started out off the rails.

!i!

That's because we're just talking about the relatively tame topic of American Gun Control. Mention bagels, though... then IT'S ON!

Quote from: BalbinusIt's the topic I'm uncomfortable with, and the using of it as a vehicle for arguing gun control (which was of course the OP's entire purpose).

I think we've mostly moved away from that, and actually can't remember anyone doing it in this thread, just it being mentioned as having been done in the media. Of course, I didn't go reread before I posted that, so I'm probably wrong.

Quote from: James McMurrayI think we've mostly moved away from that, and actually can't remember anyone doing it in this thread, just it being mentioned as having been done in the media. Of course, I didn't go reread before I posted that, so I'm probably wrong.

Maybe we should be talking about "media control"! Like, they could actually get the facts before interviewing "experts" to speculate about the facts which might come in.

The new programmes are so keen to get the news first, sometimes they'll interview people to speculate about the coming news. "What sort of casualties can we expect in an invasion of Iraq?" "How would a Chinese national acquire firearms?" There's no bigger scoop than reporting the news before it happens!

I think we need more media control, to prevent premature speculation. Basically the media needs a giant cock ring.

JimBob, just when I've given up hope that you an I will ever see things the same way, you go and post that.  It's beautiful.

Premature Speculation.  It's priceless.  I could see an entire skit built on that premise...PS drugs for when you can't keep the ratings up...

Quote from: JimBobOzMaybe we should be talking about "media control"! Like, they could actually get the facts before interviewing "experts" to speculate about the facts which might come in.

I'd support the hell out of that. It's the reason the only news outlets I watch on TV are The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. They have truth, and they have fake shit. But it's always 100% clear which is which.

I have decided to close my mind. It's full and I don't want to know anything else....

Oh. No, sorry that was just my reaction to waves of numbers coming at me;)

These random shootings are something of extreme and personal interest for me.  A very good freind of mine is currently in a great deal of pain from the five bullets he took at work just last year while I was out of the country.  He is hailed as a hero for what he tried to do, and what he did after he was shot, but now he has no job, very little money, and other than a few people like me who know him, no one remembers his name.  

It's not forgetting the victims and the heroes, or the weird enshrining of the killers that really gets to me. Its the helplessness I feel. I have given over most of my life to be the one in the way of danger, and I can not be there for them. I can't stop these people.  It's frustration. I am trained, I have volunteered to put my life on the line for others, and yet when my friend needed me, I couldn't help him. When people who have done nothing but attempt to make a future for themselves are caught in a situation they should never have to face, I can not be there.

I have a frustrated hero complex. :rolleyes:

Now that some actual facts have had time to emerge from the speculation, it seems that one of the real villains in this story may be the US healthcare system which is ran as a for profit industry.

This guy was diagnosed as dangerous to hmself and possibly others, but was 'booted' out of the mental healthcare system because he was mostly regarded as dangerous to himself and the industry figured it'd be cheaper to send him home to kill himself.

This is common in the healthcare industry: Genuinely ill people, be it physically or mentally, are routinely just kicked out of the healthcare system and left to more or less suffer and/or die by accountants who'se view is limited to the bottom line.

Maybe if this bastard had gotten some real help instead of just being booted out of the healthcare system, this might not have happened.

Quote from: Dominus NoxThis guy was diagnosed as dangerous to hmself and possibly others, but was 'booted' out of the mental healthcare system because he was mostly regarded as dangerous to himself and the industry figured it'd be cheaper to send him home to kill himself.

So this is your new refrain?  Let me tell you, in broad strokes, there are many, many reasons why some people fall through the cracks in the community mental health systems.  One of the big ones is cultural stigma, the shame of admitting that you or one of your family is "crazy", which leads to reticence to participate fully with out-patient mental health care, or to outright denial that mental illness is, in fact, the problem.

Nox, stop mouthing off where you plainly lack any substantial facts.  Your opinions are poorly-informed, embarrassing, and often insulting.

!i!

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaSo this is your new refrain?  Let me tell you, in broad strokes, there are many, many reasons why some people fall through the cracks in the community mental health systems.  One of the big ones is cultural stigma, the shame of admitting that you or one of your family is "crazy", which leads to reticence to participate fully with out-patient mental health care, or to outright denial that mental illness is, in fact, the problem.

Nox, stop mouthing off where you plainly lack any substantial facts.  Your opinions are poorly-informed, embarrassing, and often insulting.

!i!

Bite me.

Quote from: Dominus NoxNow that some actual facts have had time to emerge from the speculation, it seems that one of the real villains in this story may be the US healthcare system which is ran as a for profit industry.

This guy was diagnosed as dangerous to hmself and possibly others, but was 'booted' out of the mental healthcare system because he was mostly regarded as dangerous to himself and the industry figured it'd be cheaper to send him home to kill himself.

This is common in the healthcare industry: Genuinely ill people, be it physically or mentally, are routinely just kicked out of the healthcare system and left to more or less suffer and/or die by accountants who'se view is limited to the bottom line.

Maybe if this bastard had gotten some real help instead of just being booted out of the healthcare system, this might not have happened.

Not only are my political views vindicated by this terrible tragedy, but also the status of my profession. Furthermore, it is only in the context of a national and international tragedy like this that we are reminded of the very special status of my hobby, and its particular claim to legislative protection. My religious and spiritual views also have much to teach us about the appropriate reaction to these truly terrible events.

Countries which I like seem to never suffer such tragedies, while countries which, for one reason or another, I dislike, suffer them all the time. The one common factor which seems to explain this has to do with my political views, and it suggests that my political views should be implemented as a matter of urgency, even though they are, as a matter of fact, not implemented in the countries which I like.

Of course this is a uniquely tragic event, and it is vital that we never lose sight of the human tragedy involved. But we must also not lose sight of the fact that I am right on every significant moral and political issue, and everybody ought to agree with me.

Quote from: CaudexNot only are my political views vindicated by this terrible tragedy, but also the status of my profession. Furthermore, it is only in the context of a national and international tragedy like this that we are reminded of the very special status of my hobby, and its particular claim to legislative protection. My religious and spiritual views also have much to teach us about the appropriate reaction to these truly terrible events.

Countries which I like seem to never suffer such tragedies, while countries which, for one reason or another, I dislike, suffer them all the time. The one common factor which seems to explain this has to do with my political views, and it suggests that my political views should be implemented as a matter of urgency, even though they are, as a matter of fact, not implemented in the countries which I like.

Of course this is a uniquely tragic event, and it is vital that we never lose sight of the human tragedy involved. But we must also not lose sight of the fact that I am right on every significant moral and political issue, and everybody ought to agree with me.

please send me a copy of your manefesto so I can get started on this!:haw:

Quote from: Dominus NoxBite me.

To quote one of David R's suggestions:

:jerkbag:

!i!

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